Devil’s Botany has become the first Absinthe distillery in London. The East London-based brand just launched at the start of 2021 and also sells Absinthe glassware and spoons.
Devil’s Botany London Absinthe is the first product from the distillery. It is made from British wheat spirit and 14 botanicals, including English and Swiss grand wormwood, green anise, fennel seed, devil’s claw root, lemon balm, meadowsweet, peppermint and elderflower, among other herbs and spices. Bottled at 55% ABV, the first batch comprises just 750 bottles.
“After half a decade researching the spirit’s mysterious origins, we’re very excited to finally launch London’s first absinthe distillery,” said Allison Crawbuck, co-founder of Devil’s Botany. “Devil’s Botany London Absinthe honours the traditions mastered by the historic absinthe distillers of Switzerland’s Val-de-Travers while introducing a new style of absinthe that is quintessentially British.”
“The distinctively bitter almost chocolatey notes of grand wormwood are sweetened by the warm spice of green anise and the very present fennel, creating a strong yet wonderfully balanced holy trinity at its base,” said Rhys Everett, co-founder and head distiller of Devil’s Botany. “To create an absinthe that is delightfully refreshing and herbaceous, we’ve paired the fragrant and minty notes of lemon balm and peppermint with the delicate floralness of spring herbs that can be found in the surrounding Hackney and Walthamstow marshes, such as elderflower and meadowsweet. Grounded by the root of devil’s claw, the resulting liquid bears a colourless purity that is distinctive of the original Swiss ‘bleue’-styled absinthes.”
Devil’s Botany London Absinthe is recommended served with three to four parts ice-cold water, or in a Highball or Spritz. The liqueur is priced at £40 ($54 USD) per 500ml bottle. Bottles can be purchased from the distillery’s online shop and are currently available to preorder. All orders will be shipped the week of January 18, 2021.
